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noun HSK 4
yì
meaning · idea · intention · wish

Meaning

意 is a fundamental Chinese character representing thought, meaning, or intention. It appears in many compound words related to consciousness, desire, and significance. As a standalone character, it carries the core sense of 'thought' or 'intent' but is more commonly seen as part of multi-character words.

Usage

While 意 can stand alone in classical or literary contexts, modern Mandarin speakers typically use it in compound words like 意思 (meaning), 意见 (opinion), or 注意 (to pay attention). It's particularly common in formal or written language when discussing abstract concepts of meaning and intention.

Examples

  1. 01
    这份礼物是我的一点心意。
    Zhè fèn lǐwù shì wǒ de yīdiǎn xīn yì.
    This gift represents a small token of my feelings.
  2. 02
    他的话里有别的意思。
    Tā de huà lǐ yǒu bié de yì si.
    There's another meaning in what he said.

Common collocations

  • 同意
    tóng yì
    to agree
  • 满意
    mǎn yì
    satisfied
  • 好意
    hǎo yì
    good intention; kindness
  • 得意
    dé yì
    proud; satisfied with oneself

Origin

The character 意 is composed of 音 (sound) above 心 (heart), suggesting the idea that meaning arises from the heart's response to sound or speech.

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